Tensions on Capitol Hill escalated on Wednesday (October 8) as a heated confrontation unfolded between House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, a Democrat from New York, and Republican Representative Mike Lawler, also from New York. The exchange occurred on the eighth day of the ongoing 2025 government shutdown, with both lawmakers engaging in a shouting match over a bipartisan compromise on enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies.

The confrontation began when Lawler confronted Jeffries outside a press conference, challenging him to support a one-year extension of the enhanced ACA subsidies. Lawler asked, "We’ve got a one-year extension — why don’t you sign on right now?" Jeffries responded by questioning whether Lawler had "gotten permission" from "his boss Donald Trump," to which Lawler retorted, "He’s not my boss."

The argument quickly spiraled into a shouting match, with both men accusing each other's party of prolonging the shutdown. Jeffries accused Lawler of making a spectacle to stay relevant, saying, "You’re embarrassing yourself." Lawler fired back, "The only embarrassment here is you. My constituents are suffering as a result of your ridiculous ploy."

The argument also touched on the Republicans' "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," which Lawler defended as providing the largest tax cut in American history, saving the average New Yorker $4,000. Jeffries countered that it was "the largest cut to Medicaid in American history."

Lawler also taunted Jeffries about whether he would endorse Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani for mayor of New York City, a question Jeffries did not answer. The argument concluded with Jeffries accusing Republicans of "vacationing in their districts" during the shutdown, while Lawler insisted, "You wanted Republicans to be here — I’m here. So let’s pass the ACA extension."

As the government shutdown continues, both parties remain at odds over federal funding, with ACA subsidies being a key point of contention.

Watch the entire exchange below:

The John Batchelor Show